Feeding Horses: The Bare-Bone Essentials For Good Performance Are Often Overlooked
It's almost the middle of show season and after months of preparation, training and schooling, horses are expected to be at their best and perform unconditionally. Many horse owners are quick (and excited!) to purchase new tack and equipment, new show clothing, take extra lessons and even switch up their feeds to get the extra edge. However, no matter how good you and your horse look on the outside, it's really all about what is going on inside that will give you the competitive advantage and performance you are hoping for.
Good Nutrition starts with the basics: Good to excellent quality forage (chosen specifically for your horse's needs), quality clean water, salt and essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, carbs).
Quality forages generally include hay and pasture. Some of the factors affecting quality include maturity, seasons, fertilization, methods of harvesting, weed content, leaf content in pastures and hay. Besides a visual test, always have your hay tested to get the nutrient composition so you know that you are feeding the right type of hay to your horse's needs. Quality clean water should always be available for your horse and should be clear of algae and bacteria, excessive minerals (iron, magnesium, chlorine) and have no unpleasant odour or taste. Expect horses to drink significantly more in the warmer/hotter seasons.
Submitted December 18, 2017 at 06:12AM by Avaa_wilson
via reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Horses/comments/7kl4gf/feeding_horses_the_barebone_essentials_for_good/?utm_source=ifttt
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